Recycling: Analyzing the Present Scenario and Finding New Methods

This report analyzes the present scenario of plastic waste recycling as well as finding new methods. It discusses the usage of plastic, its impact on the environment, and the methods of recycling. The report also includes a SWOT analysis of the recycling process.

Running head: RECYCLING
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Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
With the advancement with the technology and as an immediate result of the
globalization, it can be noticed that the globe is witnessing severe problems due to increasing
pollution. One of the major reasons behind environmental pollution is the increasing number of
plastic wastage. It has been noticed that the ecosystem of the land as well as the marine
ecosystem is being highly threatened due to the increasing practices of plastic wastage. To
combat with this problem, scientific disposal and recycling of the plastic products have been
taken up. The present report will hence focus on some of the researches that have been done in
order to analyze the present scenario of plastic waste recycling as well as finding new methods.
Discussion
According to Jambeck et al., (2015), it can be said that the usage of plastic has been
increased significantly along with the increase of the consumer market places. It has been
pointed out by Bajracharya et al. (2014) that whereas in the year 1960 the amount of plastic
wastage was less than 1%, the number has increased to more than 10% within the year 2005. It
has also been noticed that the usage of plastic products has lead the way to higher rate of plastic
wastage as well. The factor that is concerning the scientists as well as the activists is the increase
of plastic disposal in the water bodies. As pointed out by Jambeck et al., (2015), that as a result
of plastic wastage in the marine water, the ecosystem and wildlife booth are being affected. Bing,
Bloemhof-Ruwaard and Vorst (2014) have mentioned that in order to overcome this problem,
Raymond et al. (2016), have observed that the European countries have effectively taken up the
methods of waste disposal as well as the ecofriendly methods of waste management. A reference

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to Dutch government can be taken. The country has taken up effective steps in reducing plastic
waste generation (He et al. 2015). The government has focused on the process of incineration of
plastic waste as well as methods of recycling. It has come up with waste generation policies to
support and effectively run the waste collecting and recycling procedures. Moreover, Raymond
et al. (2016), has pointed out that the Dutch government has effectively taken up effective
methods to reduce the cost of waste recycling. The public as well as the private entities are
taking up methods of recycling the plastic wastage as well as methods of incinerating the plastic
wastes to produce CO2.
As pointed out by Zhigui et al. (2015), the production of plastic materials have become
significantly cheaper due to the technological advancement. Moreover, it has been noticed that
the countries are failing to combat with the problem of plastic wastage as a result of the high
usage and easy availability of the products. Taking reference from Geyer, Jambeck and Law
(2017), it can be said that the industries are producing as well as using plastic products as a result
of the cost effectiveness of the products. However, Saikia and Brito (2014) have noticed that the
process of production of carbon-di-oxide is much higher than the market price. The reason
behind the higher cost of the CO2 obtained from the plastic recycling is the higher cost of
transportation of the waste products and the consequent cost treatment. Hence, it is easily
understandable that an efficient framework is highly required in order to solve the problem high
production cost of the recycled products. Raymond et al. (2016), have pointed out that the
Netherlands government has applied an effective method to overcome the issue of high
production cost. In major industries of the country are liable to reimburse the cost of collecting,
transporting and recycling the packaging wastage.

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As opined by Zhigui et al. (2015), the recycling methods that have been taken up by the
public as well as private entities, primarily based upon primary recycling, chemical recycling and
mechanical recycling. Gradus et al. (2017) have mentioned that another effective method of
plastic recycling is the process of energy recovery. In this context it can said that the mechanical
recycling methods is being effectively used by China. By applying the methods of mechanical
recycling, the country is effectively using the recycled plastic products. Plastic wastes have
increasingly affected the global marketplace since a long time. The most concerning part of these
wastes are that they cannot be recycled easily and from wastes like plastic bottle or plastic
carriers, it creates global pollution (Bajracharya et al. 2014). There is a vast toxic pollutant inside
the materials that not only causes harm to the land, water and the air bodies as well (Saikia and
de Brito 2014). The effects of plastic pollution increases when the plastic materials gather in
abundance and its effect create issues from plants and animals. The effect is more severe when it
creates problem for the human population (Jambeck et al. 2015).
However, Zhigui et al. (2015), have monitored that the organizations need to take up
methods of effective recycling process. Many a times it has been noticed that inefficient methods
of recycling lead to hazardous situations. Moreover, it can be said that the primary step of
recycling the plastic waste is to collect and transfer the waste materials to the recycling sites.
During the process of melting the plastic wastes, high amount of VOC is generated. This can
increase the risk of cancer as well as other health issues significantly. Hence, the organizations
need to take up efficient framework that ensures the safety of the workers as well.
SWOT Analysis

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Strength Weakness
Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article gives an
insight about the agencies that deals with the
recycling of waste materials and their
legislation under the EU. Also with their
extension of landfill, there are many economic
advantages when municipal and household
waste are applied.
Gradus et al. (2017) – The article gives
insight of the waste management organizations
and the new jobs and opportunities created
from it. With general support from the society
as well, there is mutual benefits to everyone.
The residents involved also know about the
process and how it works.
He et al. (2015) – The article explains the
circumstances when higher quality materials
are used, there is a significant reduction to
greenhouse gases.
Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article points out
the factors that comes with the extension of
landfill. However, very few sources are
required to raise effort.
Gradus et al. (2017) – The article explores
that fact that participants do not have up to date
knowledge about recycling and waste materials
process, therefore external education and
training is needed to increase targets.
He et al. (2015) – The article states that
competition also increases and evolves with the
production of the waste management
organizations. However, this information is
onlt limited to a particular geographical area.
Opportunities Threats

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Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article explains
the circumstances when there is excessive
contribution in terms of local, regional as well
as national authorities, there is the factor of
meeting different targets towards legislations.
This also creates the opportunity of new jobs.
Gradus et al. (2017) – The article explains
that with the high amount of decrease in waste
production as materials available in the local
community, there is no need to import.
He et al. (2015) – The article mentions that
when local authorities acquire the positive
profile tag, there is the opportunity to create
the in from the sales materials. This also states
that with increase in community
acknowledgement, there is the fact that these
communities are doing the greater good.
Jambeck et al. (2015) – The article explains
the fact that when the geographical location of
the local authority leads to the reluctance of
producers, this creates situations where the cost
sharply increases.
Gradus et al. (2017) – The article explains the
factors towards the residents or the
participates, when there exits inefficient
collection schemes it creates a negative
impression overall.
He et al. (2015) – The article explains that the
staffs who are responsible for managing the
waste management often perceives in making
programs can results in affecting the process of
recycling. An example of this initial expense
can be used for programs such as public
awareness.

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Conclusion
Therefore, from the above discussion, it can be concluded that there are many beneficial
factors towards the process of recycling. However, education plays as a major role if the content
were to increase. It is vital to provide information about the importance of recycling to the
people so that they can understand the importance of it. Once people understand how waste
materials are damaging the environment then only people can take action to prevent it. When
people purchase items by least amount of packaging or avoiding plastic packages, then it is
easier to manage the cycling method more effectively. There are instances where traditional
methods such as plastic debris in marine environment were documented by calculating the
quantity of the waste materials as well as the source of it. Although the ocean water is
excessively polluted, still there have been improvements in the few years.

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REFERENCES
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Bing, X., Bloemhof-Ruwaard, J.M. and van der Vorst, J.G., 2014. Sustainable reverse logistics
network design for household plastic waste. Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, 26(1-
2), pp.119-142.
Geyer, R., Jambeck, J.R. and Law, K.L., 2017. Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever
made. Science advances, 3(7), p.e1700782.
Gradus, R.H., Nillesen, P.H., Dijkgraaf, E. and van Koppen, R.J., 2017. A Cost-effectiveness
Analysis for Incineration or Recycling of Dutch Household Plastic Waste. Ecological economics,
135, pp.22-28.
He, Z., Li, G., Chen, J., Huang, Y., An, T. and Zhang, C., 2015. Pollution characteristics and
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Jambeck, J.R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T.R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R. and
Law, K.L., 2015. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), pp.768-771.
Saikia, N. and de Brito, J., 2014. Mechanical properties and abrasion behaviour of concrete
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